Can you imagine having a home that barely consumes energy? Thanks to the development of sustainable construction and the support of public institutions, this goal is getting closer, with the benefits that efficient homes bring to family savings and environmental conservation.
The housing stock is responsible for approximately 40% of the total energy expenditure of a country and each home emits 5 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere per year , according to the report Impact of the Energy Rehabilitation of the Residential Sector in the Achievement of Environmental Objectives for Spain , from the National Center for Renewable Energy.
To reduce this data, governments, companies and consumers are increasingly opting for energy-efficient homes . We explain what these homes consist of, what their advantages are and how you can improve energy efficiency in your home with a few simple tips.
What are efficient houses?
Efficient houses, also known as passive houses, are those buildings that present a reduction in energy consumption of between 70% and 90% compared to a conventional home.
Consequently, efficient homes are characterized, according to the Idealista portal, by the following attributes :
- They have extraordinary thermal insulation .
- The enclosures on doors and windows offer high performance.
- They lack thermal bridges through which energy losses can occur.
- They have mechanical ventilation that takes advantage of the heat generated inside the home.
- There is a high air tightness , preventing excessive air regeneration.
Advantages of having an efficient house
Why is it important to promote the construction of energy-efficient homes? These homes generate significant energy savings, which results in a lower environmental impact and reduced household spending.
Specifically, efficient homes offer the following advantages over the traditional building model:
- Environmental protection . Buildings produce almost half of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, so efficient homes contribute to environmental conservation through sustainable systems.
Reduction in consumption . Buildings built under energy efficiency parameters allow - to a greater or lesser extent - a reduction in household consumption.
Economic savings. According to the La Casa que Ahorra Foundation, a family spends an average of 700 euros a year to achieve comfortable conditions in their homes. Thanks to the reduction in energy consumption in efficient homes, bills are significantly reduced.
Tax benefits. In addition to these savings, there are also financial advantages that come with efficient construction through tax reductions and exemptions and access to public subsidies.
Profitability . Although the cost of building this type of flats and houses is somewhat higher than traditional construction, the difference is minimal (around a 7% increase) and is recovered in the medium term thanks to the savings achieved through the reduction in supply costs.
Electrical independence . Efficient homes are supplied by internal circuits, so they have minimal dependence on the electrical grid. This is very positive when faced with rate increases or service failures.
Better air quality. We may think that the hermetic nature of efficient homes can harm air quality, but these homes have sustainable ventilation systems that regenerate the air and ensure that the parameters are optimal.
Comfort. The same applies to the interior temperature of these homes, which is monitored at all times to ensure that living conditions are as good as possible.
Better acoustics. Greater insulation of walls and reduced use of electricity and gas mean improved acoustic quality in homes, which are much quieter.
Durability. Although they are more expensive, systems that are more energy efficient are also of higher quality, ensuring that homes will remain in perfect condition for longer.
How to have a more efficient home
If you are planning to build your own home, to make it part of the energy efficient homes, you must take into account the following factors :
- Climate adaptation. The first rule for building efficient houses is to first study the climatic conditions of the place, in order to make the most of the natural resources of the area. Thus, large windows facing the morning sun will heat the house without having to resort to energy systems such as gas, diesel or electric heaters. On the other hand, in very hot places, it will be necessary to incorporate protective elements that reduce the direct incidence of sunlight.
- Orientation. The same applies to the orientation of the home. It is common to design the interior based on the views or the public road itself, but the ideal is to take advantage of the path of the sun, placing the rooms where the family spends the most time in the areas with the best temperature. Thus, the living room of a flat in Northern Europe should be located in the sunniest room of the house, while in a city on the equator, this room should be more sheltered from the sun's rays to gain freshness.
- Insulation. Thermal leaks are one of the main factors that increase the electrical consumption of a home, representing 25% of heat or cold losses. Therefore, efficient homes have excellent insulation and sealing that allows the property to be kept in optimal conditions, such as double-glazed windows and thermal break.
- Materials . The different raw materials used in construction have their own thermal inertia, that is, the ability to absorb and store heat. This factor is essential when designing efficient houses, choosing the right materials. For example, brick retains more heat than wood, while concrete emits the heat stored during the day at night. There is also the possibility of using so-called green roofs as insulation.
Improvements that will make your home more efficient
However, to get an efficient home you don't have to wait for a builder to put it up for sale or decide to build it yourself. As a homeowner, you have the ability to implement simple improvements in your home that help you make more responsible use of resources:
- Water . Nowadays, it is possible to install hot water storage systems, which are more efficient than instantaneous production heaters. Another tip to reduce consumption is to install single-lever taps and toilet cisterns with a double-flush option.
- Heating . Radiators gradually fill with air, which makes them less efficient. To avoid this, bleed them at least once a year, extracting excess air. Also, avoid covering them, because this prevents the heat from emanating properly.
- Lighting . When it comes to lighting, it's important to make the most of natural light. You've probably turned on a lamp in a room before, but by raising the blinds a little more or pulling back the awning, you achieved the same effect. Use light colours on the walls and furniture to bring more light into the room, if you need to, and don't forget to replace old light bulbs with energy-saving lamps that are more efficient and long-lasting.
- Temperature . Regulating the indoor temperature is also often a matter of habit. For example, in summer it is advisable to ventilate the house first thing in the morning, when the temperature is lower, while in winter it is better to open the windows at midday, so that the temperature difference is minimal. In addition, blinds, awnings and similar elements also play a fundamental role in energy efficiency. If you want to detect possible thermal leaks in your home, use a candle to visualize where the air currents are produced. In many cases, the repair is very simple.
Currently, according to the website Elige tu energía , there are only 15,000 passive houses in the world. However, the European Union has set itself the goal of implementing this type of construction by 2020, as stated in the Energy Performance Directive for Buildings (2010/31/EC) , which advocates the promotion of buildings with almost zero energy consumption.
These so-called nZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings) are those in which “there is a very high level of energy efficiency thanks to the use of renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on site or in the surroundings.” In this house in Holland, its owners have achieved the goal of 'Zero Consumption'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zdCbolwZXw